Meet the Candidate: Bruce Putterman

West Hartford Patch is offering a new feature – "Meet the Candidate" – which is designed to help you get to know your local candidates before the Nov. 8 election. Each profile has been submitted directly by the candidate.

Take a moment to review each profile so you can be informed and prepared when you go to the polls on Nov. 8. Once they have been published, all profiles will be easily accessed through the "Elections 2011" tab at the top of the home page.

Name: Bruce Putterman

Age: 51

Party, Position Seeking: Democrat, Board of Education

Family information: Married to Teri Bayer, with three children: Alex (senior at Hall), Jack (sophomore at Hall), and Karolina (7th grade at KP). Live in the Bugbee district, near Bishop’s Corner. Member of Beth El Temple.

Occupation, if applicable: Self-employed for the last 11 years as a strategic planning and marketing consultant.

Political Experience: Elected to the Board of Education in 2003, re-elected in 2007. Served two years as Vice-Chair of the board.

Other Experience: Vice President, Autism Society of Connecticut; Past President, West Hartford Community Television (four years).

Why did you run for office? To bring my perspective, formed by 8 years on the Board of Education, to some of the new opportunities and challenges that we face, including helping ALL students achieve at high levels, transitioning to state-mandated high school reform, making more strategic use of technology in our schools, and continuing to support our district’s continuous improvement plan that is revolutionizing instruction in West Hartford.

If elected, what would be your primary areas of focus? I have always advocated for and will continue to advocate for three key principles: choice, differentiation, and accountability. Specifically, I will help ALL students achieve at high levels, maintain the things that are special about West Hartford as we transition to state-mandated high school reform, make more strategic use of technology in our schools. 

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing West Hartford today? The biggest issue facing our schools is maximizing achievement and potential of ALL of our students.

What skills do you have that you could bring to the community? I am creative, analytical, strategic, a good listener, and measured.

(Optional) Anything else you would like to share? I believe our schools are in exceptionally good shape. As a member of the Board of Education, I don’t claim credit for that, but I do note that our schools have become what they have become on our watch. If you believe our schools are performing well, please vote for me on Nov. 8.